Mutombo, who played 18 seasons for the NBA, spearheaded and helped fund the creation of the Biamba Marie Mutombo Hospital in 2007 – the first modern medical facility to be built in decades on the outskirts of his hometown, the Congolese capital of Kinshasa.

For Dr. David Mishali, who heads the International Congenital Heart Center within Sheba's Safra Children's Hospital, the mission to save these fragile youngsters is part of his daily routine as both a top surgeon and medical diplomat.